The Cedar Rapids Jefferson softball team climbed back into a virtual tie for first place in the Valley Division on Thursday night by sweeping Washington, 6-3 and 10-0, in a Mississippi Valley Conference twinbill at Jefferson.

The fifth-ranked J-Hawks raised their conference record to 21-3. Iowa City West has a 20-2 mark, leaving them tied in the "games back" column for the Valley Division lead with only a few games left in the 26-game MVC season.

Kennedy Dighton belted a grand slam for Jefferson in the first game Thursday. Maddie Hansen belted a home run and had two RBIs. Alyssa Olson was the winning pitcher.

Hansen went 3-for-4 with five RBIs in the 10-0 victory. Tori Brandon and Hannah Towns were 2-for-3. Brandon drove in two runs. Alissa Good was the winning pitcher.

Jefferson raised its overall record to 29-6.